University of California Settles Antisemitism Lawsuit With $6.13M Payout

The University of California has reached a settlement of over $6 million in the lawsuit Frankel v. Regents of the University of California, which accused UCLA of enabling antisemitic discrimination during pro-Palestinian protests in 2024. The lawsuit alleged that UCLA allowed a 'Jew Exclusion Zone' that barred Jewish students and faculty from parts of campus, including classrooms and libraries, and that the university provided barricades and security that enforced this exclusion. The settlement includes roughly $2.33 million in donations to Jewish organizations such as UCLA Hillel, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, as well as funding for UCLA’s Initiative to Combat Antisemitism. UCLA also agreed to implement stronger policies to protect Jewish students and faculty and to a permanent court order preventing exclusion from public spaces on campus. University officials acknowledged past failures in addressing antisemitism and expressed commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive environment free from harassment and discrimination. The plaintiffs and university representatives characterized the settlement as a significant step forward in fighting antisemitism on campus.